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MCLB rewards hard workers

• Students and nonprofit organizations receive awards from a social group.

Barbara Rivera Holmes

AWARD RECIPIENTS Students Tyler Benton, Lee County High School Allen Butts, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Sarah Gobin, Lee County High School Megan Golinksi, Westover Comprehensive High School Terry Rucks, Dougherty Comprehensive High School Britany Wilson, Lee County High School Nonprofit organizations Girls Inc. of Albany March of Dimes United Way of Southwest Georgia Source: MCLB-Albany Officers' Spouses' Club

MCLB-ALBANY — After working to raise $10,000, the Officers' Spouses' Club at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany doled out seven student scholarships and donations to three area nonprofits.

The club got to work in November, when organizer Laurie Walther began her search for the auction-item donations that ultimately funded the awards.

"We feel like so many people in the community do so much to support us ... and we'd like to give back," said Walther, the club's first vice president.

For Lee County High School senior Britany Wilson, the $500 scholarship she received during Thursday's awards luncheon will go a long way toward her education career, she said.

"I believe it's because I'm a hard worker," said the 18-year-old, who plans to start her college career in early childhood education at Darton College and finish at Faldosta State University.

"I tried everything (opportunities) available to me."

Walther said the club raised enough funds to present awards to all the students who applied. Of the $10,000 raised, $9,000 was awarded. The balance was used to set up the auction.

"We're proud," said Walther of the money raised. "For the size of this base, it's huge."

Academics aside, criteria for the scholarships dictate that a student mst have a parent who is active-duty or retired from the military, or holds a government-sector job.

Walther said that scholarship awards ranged from $500-$2,500.

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